Give evidence to benefits review, charities urge

People claiming disability benefits are being urged to submit evidence to a government benefits review.

Grapevine Coventry and Warwickshire and Central England Law Centre have held an open event to encourage people to have their say for the Timm's Review.

The consultation was set up last year after the government abandoned plans which would have made it harder for people to claim Personal Independence Payments (Pip).

The government has said the purpose of the the review is to ensure Pip is "fair and fit for the future rather than to generate proposals for further savings".

Pip, which is paid to people with a long-term physical or mental health condition, is the main disability benefit in England and Wales.

Mel Smith, deputy CEO of Grapevine Coventry and Warwickshire said she felt like the system was set up for people to fail being able to apply for it.

One woman who wanted to remain anonymous said: "I've submitted evidence today because I think it's really important that the government listen to people's lived experiences of how it affects them."

The woman who has ME and a rare spinal condition said the process of applying for Pip had been "disheartening" after she failed in her first attempt to get the payments.

"I'd told them everything and they judged me and basically said that there's nothing wrong with you.

"For me having Pip means that I can look after myself better, I can manage my condition better, which then keeps me in work and keeps me being a productive member of society."

Bengy Speers, who has ME and learning difficulties, was helped to submit her evidence.

"I see my life passing me by. I see other people who are in similar situations and they're not being able to work or they become discriminated around their health," she said.

Grapevine is a charity which supports social change in Coventry. The Central England Law Centre provides free specialist legal advice to those most in need.

Smith said she felt confident the review has the right people on the panel to make sure people's voices are listened to.

"I read that the panel is made up of people who have experience of long-term health conditions or disabilities, so I feel like they're the right people to be hearing it.

"I hope that some of the messages that come from the event today are the things that they will take on board and feed back into the government."

The government has said the purpose of the the review is to ensure Pip is "fair and fit for the future rather than to generate proposals for further savings".

A DWP spokesperson said: "We're fixing the broken welfare system we inherited by giving claimants the support they need to move into good, secure jobs and out of poverty.

"We've redeployed around 1,000 work coaches to help sick or disabled people who have been left behind, alongside the most ambitious employment reforms for a generation.

"These reforms are being delivered as we replace outdated systems through our ambitious £647m modernisation programme."